Force vs Tahs - Match Preview

[force addict]

Venue & Time
Subiaco Oval, 7.05pm Saturday 12 April

Head-to-Head:
Played: 2, Won: 0, Lost: 1; Drawn: 1

Previous match:
March 2, 2007: Emirates Western Force (16) v Waratahs (16) – Sydney

The Emirates Western Force are sure to come out with all guns blazing after a last-minute victory against the Bulls last week. The WA side will be especially keen to assert its dominance in order to avoid a repeat of last year’s stalemate against the Waratahs and, more importantly, add its first ever victory against the ‘Tahs to the resume.

The Waratahs have had somewhat of a rollercoaster year, but with a 5-2 record going into this match, the Tahs certainly haven’t had their worst season. Various criticisms of the team’s play seem to have only hardened the resolve of the team, which posted an impressive 37-16 win over the third placed Blues last week, scoring five tries and gaining a bonus point along the way.

Conversely, the Emirates Western Force won in a tight finish against the struggling Bulls, on a night when the sky threatened to unleash a downpour on Subiaco Oval. An early shower made the ball greasy during the first half, leading to multiple handling errors, one of which handed the Bulls their second try. They will need to stamp out handling errors to secure the four points in this All-Australian derby.

Players to watch:

Matt Giteau: The Waratahs would have had nightmares after Giteau’s try in their 2007 hit-out. His dazzling footwork created holes in the Waratahs defence, and after a Man-of-the-Match performance on Friday against the Bulls, he will certainly be one to watch again this Saturday.

Luke Burgess: the young halfback made his first start in Super Rugby last week, and immediately looked the part. A gifted ball runner and crisp distributor, Burgess allowed his backline the opportunity to attack with depth and purpose, and is surely in the sights of Wallabies selectors already.

Teams:

Emirates Western Force: TBA Thursday

Waratahs: 1. Benn Robinson 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Matt Dunning 4. Will Caldwell 5. Dan Vickerman 6. Dean Mumm 7. Phil Waugh [c] 8. Wycliff Palu 9. Luke Burgess 10. Kurtley Beale 11. Lote Tuqiri 12. Tom Carter 13. Rob Horne 14. Lachie Turner 15. Sam Norton-Knight
Reserves: 16. Adam Freier 17. Al Baxter 18. David Lyons 19. Beau Robinson 20. Brett Sheehan 21. Matt Carraro 22. Alfi Mafi

[The Lone Hydrangea]

I was at the drawn game last year( Lotes brain snap).Will be a cracker, and if we dont win by 10, i will eat my hat. This is a big game.
Go the

[jargan83]

I too was at the drawn game in Sydney and Lote's brain snap was amusing.

Lets hope the boys bring home the bikkies

I too share the sentiments of Go The

[oxleymoron]

I think that a stewards enquiry concluded that Norton-Knight is wearing Diamonties, after placing 10k with TLH on a draw in last years game and throwing the result to ensure he cleaned up. Shame Lote's brain snap didn't occur earlier in the game last year..

[force addict]

what's lotes brain snap?

[oxleymoron]

what's lotes brain snap?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8UqzlMSTto[/YOUTUBE]

[force addict]

ahh i remember now, thanks

[blueandblack]

what's lotes brain snap?

sam whatshisTAHface decided to run the ball toward the try line right at the end of the game when force & tahs were locked at 16 all. game ended there.

lote "brainfart" tuqiri stormed over from 40-50m away just to shove him in the back and have many stern words. on camera.

[NTT]

what's lotes brain snap?

norton-knight took a quick tap, the score was 16 all, 80mins up.. couldve had a shot at 3 pts to win the game ...... lote gave him a shove and a verbal spray....hilarious at the time

[slomo]

lote at his best.......

[jargan83]

Waratahs at their best, left hand not knowing what the right was doing, then the left hand slapping the back of the right hand

[inactive]

Thursday 10 April 2008

EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE TAKE SHAPE FOR BLOCKBUSTER AUSSIE DERBY

Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 9 clash with the Waratahs at Subiaco Oval.

The highly anticipated clash is the first of three Australian ‘derby’ matches for the WA side in its remaining five 2008 regular season games.

Mitchell has stuck solid to the team which overcame the Bulls in dramatic fashion last Friday night, making just one change to his starting XV.

Former Waratahs prop Troy Takiari returns to tighthead prop with AJ Whalley dropping back to the reserves bench.

Takiari will make his third appearance of the season in the number 3 jersey, while inside back Lachlan MacKay makes his return via the reserves bench after withdrawing from last week’s clash with a groin strain.

Elsewhere on the bench, Haig Sare has won selection in the match 22 for the first time in 2008 after serving out an eight-match suspension for his involvement in a pre-season altercation.

The 26 year old utility will wear the number 22 jersey with MacKay named in number 21.

The Emirates Western Force lineup for Saturday’s clash includes six players who have previously played for the Waratahs.

Coach John Mitchell said Australian interstate matches always bring added emotion and pressure.

“It’s an exciting phase of the competition for us, with three matches against Australian opponents in our last five games,” said Mitchell.

“Derby matches are the nearest thing to Test matches at Super 14 level. No matter how hard teams prepare and try to be specific and composed, emotions and pressure will always factor in the game.”

Mitchell expects the Waratahs to be full of confidence heading into the Subiaco Oval clash.

“The Waratahs played very good attacking football against the Blues in Sydney last week and they have a good mix of youth and experience,” he said.


Overall head to head: Played 2, Waratahs 1, Drawn 1.

Last met: 2 March 2007, EWF 16 drew with Waratahs 16, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney.

Emirates Western Force v Waratahs
Saturday 12 April, 2008
Subiaco Oval, Perth

Kick off: 7.05pm (9.05pm AEST)

Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Scott Fava
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

9. Chris O’Young
10. Matt Giteau (vc)
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd

Reserves
16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Sam Wykes
19. Matt Hodgson
20. James Stannard
21. Lachlan MacKay
22. Haig Sare

[laura]

What happened to James O'Connor making the side? Is it because Haig is on the bench?

[BLR]

What happened to James O'Connor making the side? Is it because Haig is on the bench?

Yes

[BaldCunus]

Yes

That and Mackay recovering from injury I'd say.